CHARLES ROBERT EMPSON

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CHARLES ROBERT EMPSON
January 7, 1928 - November 22, 2020

With sad hearts we announce that Charles, beloved husband, father and Afi, passed peacefully away at the age of 92, at Luther Home in Winnipeg.
He is dearly missed by daughters, Lori (Raymond Czayka) and Karen (Norm Davies), grandchildren, Gudrun, Elin, Kristjan (Czayka), Eric, and Brent (Davies). He is predeceased by his father Charles Frederick (Fred) Empson and mother Pauline (Machdanz), a baby brother and his sweetheart Mildred.
Charles spent his early years on his father's chicken farm in St. Vital. The Great Depression brought hardships where running water was from a pump on the street and heat came from the stove. At one point his family was homeless. His least favourite meal was a pigeon his father captured. He was grateful when he got his first pair of glasses – he didn't realize until then that he had missed seeing the texture of the blades of grass. His greatest pleasure as a child, came from his dog Buddy that he received as a gift from Aunt Marie.
When he was about 12, the family moved back to the aux Marais district. His father helped Uncle Bob on the family homestead and his mother raised turkeys. For a while he lived with Uncle Jack and 10 of his cousins and was unlucky to be one of the last to use the shared bath water. For Grade 7 and 8, Dad boarded with Aunt Marie to go to school in Letellier. Charles won 3rd place at the fair for his steer that was sold for butchering to Eaton's. He was working with the threshing gangs when he was only 14. Despite these hardships, Charles enjoyed being with relatives and helping on the farm.
When the family farm was sold his father bought a farm in Halbstadt. Charles remembers taking the chickens up into the rafters twice during the flood. His father couldn't make the mortgage on the farm and had to sell. The family sold it for a profit and moved back to Winnipeg.
As a young man, Charles was hired at Hobbs Glass (later Pittsburgh Paint and Glass). He was known for his accuracy. Having only a grade 8 education, he was required to take a math course at Red River to become a glass cutter. He impressed by scoring 98% on the final test. He retired after 36 years. Despite his lack of formal education, he was very well read and intelligent and was great playing armchair Jeopardy.
He met the love of his life Mildred at Arthur Murray's dance studio when he won free lessons. Their passion for dance led to romance and they wed August 18, 1956. They hosted many parties and dinners for friends and family. They never stopped dancing and spent many evenings later in life at the Legion. He was a talented gardener growing produce for the family, but for Mildred especially, he grew beautiful roses and tomatoes (which he didn't even like). As a couple, they were well-travelled, coast to coast, on cruises and to Iceland, most trips focused on being closer to extended family and friends. Many great memories were made over 12 years of Mexico getaways during retirement.
Charles was a quiet gentle man. He enjoyed his Icelandic stamp collection, many provided through Mildred's family. He enjoyed playing steel guitar and shared his musical talents at worship services when in assisted living.
We are grateful for the exceptional kindness and care extended to him at Luther Home by staff and volunteers.
Due to the pandemic, a Celebration of Life is deferred. Cremation and interment will take at Glen Lawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 211 Kimberly Avenue Winnipeg R2K 0X3 or Luther Home, 1081 Andrews Street, Winnipeg, R2V 2G9.

Family and friends may sign a Book
of Condolence at www.glenlawn.ca

Glen Lawn Funeral Home
204-982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 28, 2020